Aircraft Fiber Bragg Grating Sensor Zone Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical fibre sensor systems for detecting temperature changes in aircraft have a limited number of measurement points due to the limited number of Fibre Bragg Gratings that can be inscribed along an optical fibre, leading to potential missed areas where temperature changes occur.
Innovation Solution
An optical fibre sensor system with multiple Fibre Bragg Gratings inscribed along a single optical fibre, all reflecting within the same predetermined wavelength range, allowing for an increased number of measurement points without increasing system complexity, and enabling faster response times and independent monitoring of temperature changes in different zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple Fibre Bragg Gratings with unique wavelength ranges are inscribed along an optical fibre, then each grating can be uniquely identified, but the number of measurement points is limited due to the limited total wavelength range of the light source
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fibre is divided into multiple zones, with each zone containing Fibre Bragg Gratings that reflect within the same predetermined wavelength range. This segmentation allows multiple gratings to share the same wavelength range without causing identification conflicts, thereby increasing the number of measurement points while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Zones are introduced as intermediary structures that group Fibre Bragg Gratings with identical wavelength ranges. The processing unit uses these zone assignments as mediators to distinguish between multiple gratings reflecting at the same wavelength, enabling unique identification through spatial location rather than wavelength differentiation
2Quantity of substance
If the number of Fibre Bragg Gratings is increased to provide more measurement points, then temperature coverage is improved, but the complexity of the sensor system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different zones along the optical fibre are assigned different predetermined wavelength ranges, creating local quality variations. This allows Fibre Bragg Gratings in different zones to use the same wavelength range without confusion, enabling increased quantity of gratings while maintaining manageable system complexity through localized differentiation
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from identifying gratings solely by wavelength to a two-dimensional identification system: wavelength range plus zone location. This dimensional change allows multiple gratings to share the same wavelength characteristic while being distinguished by their spatial zone, thereby increasing the number of measurable points without proportionally increasing system complexity
3Measurement precision
If Fibre Bragg Gratings with the same wavelength range are used in different zones, then more measurement points can be inscribed on one optical fibre, but it becomes difficult to distinguish which grating contributes to a reflected peak
Solution Approach 1:
Zone assignments serve as intermediary identifiers that resolve the ambiguity of identical wavelength reflections. When a reflected peak is detected, the processing unit uses the zone information as an intermediary to determine which specific Fibre Bragg Grating within that zone is responsible, making identification straightforward despite wavelength repetition
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fibre is segmented into distinct zones, each with its own predetermined wavelength range assignment. This segmentation creates spatial separation that resolves the identification problem: even though multiple gratings may reflect at the same wavelength, they are located in different zones, allowing the system to identify which grating contributed to the reflection by determining the zone of origin
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for a higher density of measurement points along the optical fibre, enabling more accurate detection of temperature changes and faster response times, while maintaining system simplicity, and allows for the identification of specific zones where temperature changes occur.
Implementation Method 1
Each Fibre Bragg Grating is active in its particular wavelength range within the electromagnetic spectrum and reflects a certain narrow wavelength band, within the particular wavelength range, depending on parameters like temperature, pressure, strain and indices of refraction. The reflected narrow wavelength band has a peak at the Bragg wavelength. A temperature change results in a shift of the peak wavelength.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber sensor system (10) arranged to detect a temperature change in a zone (2, 3, 4) in an aircraft (1) having at least one zone (2, 3, 4). The optical fiber sensor system (10) comprises at least one optical fiber (11, 21, 31, 41) comprising a plurality of Fiber Bragg Gratings (20, 30, 40) for detecting a temperature change. Each of the Fiber Bragg Gratings (20, 30, 40) is reflecting radiation within a predetermined wavelength range. A radiation source unit (13) is arranged to emit radiation into the at least one optical fiber (11, 21, 31, 41). A radiation detector unit (14) is arranged to receive radiation from the at least one optical fiber (11, 21, 31, 41). A processing unit (15) is configured to identify a spectral response (22, 32, 42) of the received radiation and to determine a temperature change from the spectral response (22, 32, 42) of the received radiation in a predetermined wavelength range. Each of the at least one zone (2, 3, 4) solely has Fiber Bragg Gratings (20, 30, 40) which are reflecting radiation within the same predetermined wavelength range. The disclosure further relates to method for detecting a temperature change in a zone in an aircraft having at least one zone, by means of the optical fiber sensor system. Yet further the disclosure relates to an aircraft (1) comprising the optical fiber sensor system (10).